Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Tuned in to raise charity funds at concerts
Members of a Lanarkshire singing group are warming up their vocal chords as they prepare for their ninth annual charity concert.
Following the huge success of its previous shows, award-winning ensemble Octave will perform a brand new programme of hits, including Broadway tunes, classical and popular music, to suit all tastes.
The group, which includes Monklands members, were formed by musical director David Fisher in 2011 and have shone during various charity and fundraising events ever since.
In 2013, Octave was awarded “best in class” in the mixed voice choir section of the Glasgow Music Festival.
Singers Janis Cunningham, John McKenzie, Esther O’Hara, Jonathan Procter, Kirsty Ross, Julie Thomson, Raymond Tulips and Carol Whitelaw will all take to the stage for the “Octave GLO and Sin9!“concerts from September 11-14 at Motherwell’s GLO auditorium.
An Octave spokesperson said: “The group are entirely voluntary and, after the deduction of running costs, surplus funds are given to charity.
“Since we formed, we have donated more than £12,500 to charities including Alzheimer Scotland and the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice.
“Our nominated charity for 2019 is Glasgow City Mission which helps vulnerable adults and children fight homelessness, poverty and social isolation.”
The “Octave GLO and Sin9!” concerts will feature all new material and the usual mixture of ensembles, solos and duets.
The programme will be varied and include well-known musical numbers from Broadway shows such as West Side Story, South Pacific, Kiss Me Kate and Cats; and some lesser known musicals like Avenue Q as well as songs by Elton John, Billy Joel and Barry Manilow.
The group spokesperson added: “Our members give up their time and talents completely voluntarily; they are remarkably talented performers.
“We are aiming to present a sizeable cheque to Glasgow City Mission so hope as many people as possible turn out for our latest concerts.”
Tickets for the “Octave GLO and Sin9!” shows are priced £12/£13 and available by calling Shona Fisher on 01698 721607 or emailing her at shona.fisher2@mail.com; or from the GLO bookshop on Motherwell’s Muir Street.